Genevieve Edwards
Chief Executive, Bowel Cancer UK
When diagnosed early, bowel cancer is treatable and curable, and 92% of people diagnosed at the earliest stages will survive. However, too many people (46%) are diagnosed at the later stages when the disease is harder to treat.
Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer and the second biggest cancer killer. Most people are diagnosed after speaking to their GP about symptoms. A huge part of the problem is low awareness of symptoms, like changes in bowel habits, bleeding from your bottom and blood in your poo. These red flag indicators should prompt people to contact their doctor straight away. However, our research showed almost 4 in 10 adults in the UK (38%) were unable to name a single symptom of the disease.
Know the ‘red flag’ symptoms of bowel cancer
Getting to know the ‘red flag’ symptoms of bowel cancer and contacting your GP, if you spot any, could save your life. Signs to look out for include:
- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- A pain or lump in your tummy
Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer, but if you experience one or more of them, you should contact your doctor straight away. The disease is treatable if diagnosed early; and by going straight to your GP, it’s possible to rule out bowel cancer first and fast. They will want to see you and may ask you to do a test at home to help determine whether your symptoms need further investigation.
Bowel cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer and the second biggest cancer killer.
A record number of people are referred for key tests
Last year, figures published by NHS England showed that a record number of people were referred for suspected bowel cancer. That is, in part, thanks to Dame Deborah James. Right up until her death, she campaigned tirelessly to raise vital awareness of bowel cancer. There is no doubt that lives have been saved — and will be saved in the future — thanks to the increase in awareness of the disease and its symptoms that she generated.
We need to keep that momentum going. Know the symptoms of bowel cancer, tell your friends and family about them, and contact your GP if you’re worried. It really could save your life.
For more information about bowel cancer, visit: bowelcanceruk.org.uk
